NFP late hits: Vikes need Williamses

The National Football Post’s Matt Bowen will be posting his afternoon NFP late hits on a regular basis throughout the week. 

The Vikings can’t afford to lose both Pat and Kevin Williams for the entire first month of the season, and that’s why the news that their four-game suspensions by the NFL were blocked by a Hennepin County District judge is a good thing for the Vikings — for now.

APThe 'Williams Wall' is crucial to the success of the Tampa 2 defense.

If, or when, the Williamses will be suspended is uncertain, but one thing we can’t deny their value to the Vikings’ defense. Minnesota is a Tampa 2 defense, and to be able to stop the run with a seven-man front — which is a staple of the Tampa 2 — you must have quality talent on the interior of the line to not only penetrate gaps and demand double-teams but also to keep blockers off the linebackers so they can run freely to the football.

I understand that all the talk in Minnesota this offseason has revolved around the quarterback position, forcing this story under the rug for a while, but the Vikings finished sixth in total defense in ’08 — and they won’t repeat that with these guys out of the lineup. I’m sure there’s plenty more to come with this story.

I’m hearing that the Raiders coaching staff is very high on quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Michael Bush -- two players penciled in as backups but who might find their way onto the field.
Something to think about as we get ready for camp, and something for the starters to think about as well — because competition is an aspect the Raiders need every day in practice. 

APThe Raiders like what they see out of Bush.

Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew  is getting some high reviews in Detroit right now, but I still see his impact as a rookie more in the running game and in pass protection — when the Lions max protect and use two-man deep routes to get the ball to WR Calvin Johnson down the field.

Yes, Pettigrew is athletic and can go up and get the football, but he wasn’t drafted with the idea of developing into a Tony Gonzalez-type tight end. He will add value to this offense in different ways — including the point of attack as a blocker.

The idea that the Dolphins are looking for some possible cornerbacks off the street tells me a couple of things, and both make perfect sense. In one case, they’re hesitant to go into the season with such little experience at the cornerback position, or they just want to add some competition in camp.

The second option seems more likely — especially for a team that Bill Parcels has a hand in. I like the idea of the Dolphins’ rookie corners — Vontae Davis and Sean Smith — having to work their way into the lineup and being challenged by some veterans who are brought into camp. Nothing should be handed out at this level.

APA lot of eyes will be on Crabtree at camp.

I can’t wait to see Michael Crabtree in training camp with the Niners. All of this hype during the Combine, plus his injury, his slide in the draft and his inability to practice in the offseason program are almost over.

Now he has to play with the big boys starting later this month, and I want to see how he responds when he isn’t the star in the huddle anymore, and when he matches up against Nate Clements during one-one-one drills — a corner who isn’t afraid to be physical in practice.

If I play defense for the Saints, I start conditioning myself until I’m near exhaustion in anticipation of a Gregg Williams practice. Run until you almost vomit, and make sure you do your position-specific drills when you’re dead tired — because that’s what will happen on the first day of camp. It’s an absolute nightmare of a day. Enjoy.

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